To say there's a confusion as to what sort of game Dead Space 3 is would be misrepresenting just how confusing the whole situation is. There's the stealth vs. action controversy, but there's also controversies over the modern survival horror and it difficult to forget EA's dedication to "broader appeal." The court of public opinion is on the verge of being presented substantial evidence, however, as a demo will be ready for download starting January 22.

Maybe the demo that's being released has already been shown to the press and its content is already part of the current Dead Space 3 conversation. That's not going to change that when the greater gaming community gets ahold of it, decisions will be made. Decisions on whether Dead Space 3 is a game people will continue to be excited about are going to happen. The best part? EA and Visceral want to get this demo out before the game's release and that's a good sign.

Dead Space 3's demo will go live on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, ready for download, on January 22 (no demo announced for PC). However, interested 360 players that also use EA's Origin platform can go over the game's site, register their Origin ID, and gain access to the demo as early as January 15. Otherwise, the full game will be released on February 5 on all platforms.

I remember the good old days where action games used to be called action games and horror games actually had horror mechanics and stealth games weren't directed by Michael Bay fans.

Now kids these days have "modern" horror and "Action/stealth" and "mario/sonic olympics". Gah give me my good ol' fashion genre's that actually exist and don't try to call themselves by a different name for marketing purposes.

Since when has Dead Space had any stealth? This game has always been an action/horror game. The games are survival horror, if you don't agree then try hardcore mode in Dead Space 2. I was actually pretty excited for this game until I heard that there wasn't going to be any split screen, now it is no longer on my must buy list.

I'm worried that Dead Space 3 sometimes use a lot of dark environments which aren't scary but rather frustrating for players...I'm also worried that it won't be as good as Dead Space 2's gameplay/lighting effects or graphics in-general.

Nothwitstanding the help of extra person and new ground-basedlocations, it still feels pretty generic and mundane...Fingers crossed, folks!!

This article sums it up pretty well, no one is at all sure what DS3 is going to be like. I'm obviously happy that multiplayer is optional, but by the same token the fact it is an option gives me concerns over the gameplay. We'll have to wait and see.

EA are taking a massive risk of upsetting the traditional Dead Space fanbase, who perhaps would have bought the game regardless of a demo, by releasing one if it is indeed going to be "actioney"; which sort of leads me to believe that they are confident it wouldn't turn them off, and thus, it will perhaps be like the predecessors.

Conversely, there is a part of me that suspects EA may be thinking "get the free demo out, grab the CoD demographic".

Spooge, sounds like your correct about that. EA already turned many CoD players towards Battlefield 3, why not get some to Dead Space at the same time. I am hopeful though that we will see not as much action and more horror. Visceral doesn't seem like a developing company that would screw their long time community, cough, cough DICE...

I am excited for Dead Space 3 as always with Co-op, the 2nd players are the ones who can make or break a great game, so I have faith that EA/Visceral haven't screwed this up, I've always thought Dead Space might be fun with Co-op, but I too am glad it's an option not a neccesity, I don't want to babysit people while dancing the Dismemberment Tango with my Necro pals...that said I will look forward to playing Co-op with another player, and if they're good I might even continue my Co-op all the way thru my first playthrough...I play on PS3 and love the Dead Space franchise ever since I found that guy bashing his head into the wall my first few minutes of exploring the Ishimura, if anyone wants a good Co-op buddy for DS3 my name on PS3 is The6Darkest6Day6, if you do send a FR tell me how you met me though or I can't guarantee an approval.

I'll be pre-ordering this soon, but I don't really have a good feeling about it. Something tells me it's gonna disappoint me. But still, I've got to buy it on release day seeing as the first two are very solid games. I hope they've offered new stuff without alienating the series altogether.

So, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this really looks like it's straying from the "core" Dead Space experience that was prevalent in DS 1&2.

Jesus what is going on with games lately. First Epic prepares to release a game completely off kilt to what they usually put out and now EA makes an action shooter instead of a survival horror game?

Dead Space 2 was completely different than Dead Space 1. But unlike most franchises that stray from their origins and fail, DS2 was a different game that was just as good. I'm psyched about the co-op aspect of DS3.